A Whirlwind Weekend!

And just like that, Rooster is gone.  I made it about 4 hours into my 11-hour drive home before I broke down and started crying like a baby!  I didn't think it would be that tough to see him go!  He was adopted by a family in New Plymouth, Idaho who have 15 grandchildren to dote on him and will also be used as a therapeutic riding horse.  They really appreciated his calm and relaxed demeanor throughout the weekend, as many of the "show boat" horses were super hyped up and running hard (unfortunately for me, many of those horses were the ones who scored high).













Still waiting for a few of the final scores, but here's how the weekend turned out for us:

Round One

• Handing & Conditioning: 5th Place (There was a 3-way tie for 5th place so I received a 7th Place ribbon.  I forgot entirely to pick up Rooster's feet for the judges - argh!)
• Trail: 2nd Place!
• Maneuvers: 5th Place

Overall we finished 5th Place in Round One.

Round Two

• Compulsory & Freestyle: 8th Place (Didn't really have anything planned so we just went out there and had fun.  Rode a few nice circles and some nice stops, but of course no WOW factor like what the judges were looking for.  I decided to make up for my earlier mistake and dismounted to pick up all four feet at the end - ha!  As one of the event organizers told me on my way into the arena - this was just the icing on the cake.  Go out there and enjoy yourselves!)

My parents and I after the Top 10 Announcement.

Overall, I couldn't be happier with Rooster's performance this weekend.  All of his "bobbles" were virtually my fault - first show jitters!  He was so cool, calm and collected the ENTIRE weekend.  He did every single thing I asked of him.  I received many compliments, including being told I had the most adoptable horse there.  And when one of the event organizers tells you they'd try to take Rooster home if we were closer to Texas... yeah, that's a compliment x1000!!

During "visiting hours" we opened up the stall door so potential adopters could go in and say Hi to Rooster.  He had people surrounding him and petting him all over inside his stall and he didn't have a care in the world.  In fact I think he rather enjoyed it!  We didn't place first, but in my mind, we FAR exceeded all of my expectations for the entire experience and it's a huge win for me - and of course, Rooster, too!

I was lucky enough to have lots of family in attendance who were supporting me throughout the weekend, which included lots of video and photos!  I will try to get them up soon.  I know my uncle is putting a little video together of all our runs.  Also, huge thank you to everyone who has been following the blog.  It was a challenge to keep up on, but I hope you found it fun, interesting and maybe even a little educational.  I know I will really enjoy looking back.

It sounds like plans are in the works to consider moving the Nampa event to Washington State next year, possibly Monroe which is north of Seattle.  Keep an eye out on the blog and we'll see what happens.  :)

Week Sixteen - Final Stretch

Well, here we are in the last week of training before competition this weekend.  It's really starting to sink in that I'll have to say goodbye to my little buddy.  He's been such a trooper and of course, taught me so much.  I have to keep reminding myself that he's one of the lucky ones who will NOT be spending the rest of his life in a mustang holding facility.  He will find a great new home on Saturday!!  We'll be departing for Nampa at the crack on dawn on Wednesday morning.

Got the Laser Sheen out again and worked his mane a tail a little.

Hit the scale the other day (grain elevators just a few miles from home).  I weighed in at 120lbs. so Rooster is about 940lbs.

Dress Rehearsal

So I broke down and bought a saddle blanket for Rooster.  Along with that beautiful headstall and Mecate reins, I'm really liking the overall look!

Headstall: Turn-Two Abilene Browband Headstall in Light Oil

Mecate Reins: Knotty Girlz 22' Samson EQ Braid in Beige/White

Saddle Blanket: Mayatex San Juan Solid in Cream

Sorting Competition at the Arena

The weekend was a great success at The King's Arena in Great Falls, Mont.  Rooster arrived extremely alert and interested in all the other horses.  But, he settled down in no time (with the help of my mare who has done this a million times and was cool as a cucumber) and stood quietly next to the other horses for the rest of the weekend.  I was worried he had gotten attached to my mare and might put up a fight when we left him to make a run, but he only whinnied a little and never got too upset or challenged his lead rope at all.  We got some riding in both days (no, we did not compete!) and went right up to the sorting pens where all the action is: Horses chasing cows, running into panels, people shouting, cheering and clapping.  Lots of great exposure for this guy and let me tell you, he did not miss a beat.  Such a cool dude!

Week Fourteen - Chiropractic

Yesterday, our favorite Chiropractor (for both humans and horses!), Dr. Mike Welker, was in Great Falls for several appointments.  He is based out of Butte, Mont. but travels this way about once per month to service clients.  Rooster has always exhibited a funky head position while lunging clockwise, so I decided to take him down for Mike to take a look at.  Mike saw it right away and suggested the condition had been with him almost his entire life.  It doesn't seem to effect every-day riding and is really only noticeable while lunging.  He flexes right and left just fine under saddle, but I will say he doesn't love working circles.  Mike said this should improve over time now that he's been adjusted, but it may never completely go away.  I think Rooster already feels better, though.

After the chiropractor appointment, I decided to take advantage of open riding hours at a local arena called The King's Arena while we were in town.  Stella's sorting competitions take place here and we'll be coming down again on Saturday with Rooster.  I thought it might be good for him to get introduced to the place before all the commotion of a big show arrives this weekend.  He took some time to check everything out like garbage cans, barrels, chairs and tables, etc. but settled right in.  It was great to have the entire place to ourselves.

We've been catching a few much-needed rain showers, but as usual, the ground has become slippery and dangerous!  The sun has been out all day, today, so I'm hoping things will have dried up a bit in time for some riding this afternoon.

Hard to believe Rooster and I will be departing for Nampa exactly two weeks from today!

Practice, Practice, Practice!

Enjoying some "trail" time after flatwork sessions.

We've spent the last week practicing and perfecting our drills.  Rooster is stepping across on the forehand quite well and we're starting to turn it into a two-track.  He's also getting much better at the side pass in both directions.  One thing we really need to focus on is Rooster's head position.  I'll be asking for a nice, collected frame from him during these last few weeks.  Also on the agenda are the trail obstacles we're likely to encounter at the competition: Side-passing over logs, crossing bridges, opening/closing gates and backing in/around poles on the ground.

Yesterday I took Rooster and my AQHA mare, Stella, to the KW Arena in Sunburst.  The three of us will be traveling this weekend to Great Falls as I'll be competing in a ranch sorting competition with Stella.  I've decided I'll bring Rooster along for the much-needed exposure of a big indoor arena and show.  I wanted Rooster to get comfortable with Stella and I riding off without him, as well, which can cause a lot of anxiety.  Definitely nervous at first, but Rooster never blew up or put up much of a fight.  I was really pleased.  After a good workout, Rooster was content to stand.

Standing quietly at the arena while Stella and I get some exercise.

Holiday Weekend Success

Made great strides with the help of Gerry Cox in Colville, Wash. this weekend! Rooster and I came home with lots of tools and tips to work on for the remaining 3 weeks until competition. Couldn't be happier with our progress!